ZTFO: The Power of Meditation

Meditation is typically associated with religious practice but it has been my own experience that meditation has served my conscience while supporting my spiritual practices. I started to practice Transcedental Meditation in 2017 through the David Lynch Foundation. An activity provided to the staff at the Family Shelter I worked at in East Harlem and it changed my life forever! This technique supported me through fighting depression, helped me survive the ego death after dropping out of anger management and is the core to my survival during COVID. There are so many ways to make meditation apart of your daily routine (look at it as mental hygiene). So whether you're looking for enlightenment or stress relief there is a practice for you, let's take a look at some of the benefits of meditation in general and the most popular forms of practice for YOU to do further research on.

Popular forms of meditation practice for beginners

1. Writing Meditation: can be used to give you insight to where your energy is going. Unlike journaling, when using writing as a form of meditation you can release the grammar rules, spelling or formatting rules and freestyle; judgement free zone. Whether you are blocked or looking for ways to sharpen your skills this practice can boost your creative thinking skills, while fine tuning your focus.

2. Mindfulness Meditation: Originates from Buddhist practice and requires you to pay attention to your thoughts as they pass in your mind. Without overthinking what comes up, think of it as a way to observe your thoughts and see what thought patterns come up that may need to be looked into. The level of awareness that this will bring you also calls for you to pay close attention to your breathing/body and every thought or feeling that may cross your mind. This is an easy practice that in most cases will not require a teacher or guide.

3. Mantra Meditation: Popular in many practices including Buddhism and Hindu traditions. Using a repetitive sound to clear your mind. Sometimes its a one word phase like "Om" for example. Whether it's a word or a phase spoken quietly or out loud, chanting can allow you to be more alert and in-tune with the world around you; diving deeper into your awareness.

4. Transcendental Meditation: TM is a popular form of meditation that is more of a customized form of meditation, using a mantra or series of words that are specific for each person that uses the practice. Geared towards people who like structure and are serious about maintaining their practice.

The Scary Part

When people speak about meditation they always highlight the benefits and leave out the scary parts about beginning the practice. When you get into the right rhythm and meet yourself back in that room. Everyone has a room, that represents the moment when you knew you’d never be the same. That room you instinctively forgot about to preserve your sanity; for survival. The moment you unlock that place again it can feel like you’ve opened pandora’s box and depending on what you’ve packed away it can feel like revisiting hell.

Ask yourself why did we return here? What’s undone in this place? Your mind is pointing to a place of residence for something you seek clarity on. The level of surrender required to intentionally return to that space until it’s healed is a battle some of us don’t win. This is what they would call “doing the work” can you sit still long enough to piece it back together? 20 mins a day from 24 hrs is worth the try #KeepGoing

Keep Going

Exercise, creating music/art are also forms of meditation that people often overlook. IMO meditation is connected to your ability to escape time and allow your mind to do its own thing. You control where that energy goes with your intentions. What's on your mind when you are running on the treadmill? are you coaching yourself with positive words or worried about your rent ? Being still can go beyond your physical, your ability to be intentional of your focus with Mantras, affirmations or prayer is key to the outcome of your meditation no matter how you choice to incorporate a practice into your day to day routine.

Challenge yourself to meditate for 5-10 mins each session to start and grow from there. With a goal of at least 20 mins a day, your consistency can get you to a place where your meditation practice becomes a part of your natural daily practice and not a forced project. Trail and error are on your side so be open to the possibility of change and #KEEPGOING

Benefits of Meditation

• Lower Blood Pressure

• Reduce Anxiety

• Decrease Pain

• Ease Symptoms of Depression

• Improve Sleep

#BTM #BigSean #ZTFO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Dy-czTjAc